Page 173 of Sun Warrior

He wrenched his wrist free from her. “As far as I can see, there is no Tribe left. Step aside, Maeve.” As he began to walk around her, Nik reached into his travel satchel, feeling for the length of braided rope he always kept there.I’ll tie her and gag her. That’ll give me enough time to get away and—

Maeve’s scream pierced through the sounds of the sick and dying, echoing in the fetid air around them. She shouted, “Help! He’s stealing from the Mother Plant! Help me! Help!”

“Bloody beetle balls!” Nik swore.

He rushed past Maeve, launching himself down the stairs, three at a time. On the main platform, Emma looked up from administering to patients, her eyes wide with shock as she recognized him, but Nik didn’t hesitate. He ran, leaping over the dying, as he sprinted to the final set of stairs. He reached the forest floor in seconds, and then he ran, weaving between pallets of the wounded and sick as they began to stir. Nik could see Maeve on the top landing. She was leaning over the railing, shouting, “It’s Nik! He’s stealing Mother Plants for his Scratcher bitch!”

Like they were moving through dark dreams, the fallen Tribesmen and women began to rise, their feverish hands reaching for him, grasping at his cloak, trying to stop him. But Nik was faster and stronger. He dodged around them, picking up speed. At the edge of the clearing, he could just make out Laru’s amber eyes from where he’d remained hidden. Nik’s Shepherd was utterly focused on him. He could feel Laru’s strength and encouragement—and he picked up his pace, moving even faster. He was mere yards away from the forest line, and the relative safety the underbrush would provide, when he was blindsided. Someone hit him, and hit him hard, knocking him off his feet and causing the breath to rush from him.

Nik tried to stand, even before he could draw air again, but a foot in the center of his back kept his face pressed into the earth.

“Why in such a hurry, Nikolas?” Thaddeus’s voice sneered. “I’d hate to see you go before you said a proper good-bye—and before that whore of a Scratcher comes to rescue you. Again. Only this time we’ll be ready for her.”

Nik closed his eyes and focused all his energy into communicating with his Companion.Go, Laru! Run! Meet Mari at the Channel!

Instantly Nik was flooded with strength and love and understanding. He allowed himself a moment of relief. Laru would go to Mari. Now all Nik had to do was survive and escape so that he could go to her, too.

CHAPTER 38

As Mari walked through camp she felt as if her heart would swell and burst with pride. Everyone was busy, and even more important, it was obvious that everyone was working together. Earth Walkers wove cloaks beside Lydia and Sarah, who had picked up the skill so quickly that Danita announced that the sisters had true aptitudes for the task.

Jaxom worked with O’Bryan and Sheena, building the last of the litters from the burrow’s deconstructed bed frames. Even Mason, who was recovering with remarkable ease from the Skin Stealer sickness, refused to stay abed and was helping roll dried meat in salt and then packing the meat within supple corn husks for travel.

“It’s hard to believe, but we’re going to actually be ready to leave,” Sora said as she joined Mari in the clearing.

“I know. I’d never have thought it possible just a day or so ago,” Mari said. She pointed her chin at the little face that peeked out of a pouchlike sling that held the pup securely against Sora’s heart. “That seems to be working.”

Sora smiled warmly down at the Terrier pup and kissed her on her head. “It does. But now I understand why canines don’t choose their Companions before they’re weaned. She wants to be with me all thetime and I with her—but she’s too little to keep up and she needs to be returned to Fala frequently to be fed.”

“But she whines the entire time she’s away from you,” Mari finished for her friend as she ruffled the soft fur behind the pup’s floppy ears. “I know. Everyone does. She’s a loud whiner.”

“She’s absolutely perfect,” Sora cooed. Then she met Mari’s eyes. “But I hear you. It was pretty obnoxious. So, I came up with this sling. It’s really not much different from the carriers used for infants—just smaller.”

“You do look surprisingly maternal,” Mari said.

Sora narrowed her eyes. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

Mari grinned. “I meant it as one.” She cut her eyes to where Mason was packing the dried meat. “He’s healing fast. If we Wash him again tonight, he’s going to be as healthy as Jaxom.”

“Yeah, for such a nasty disease, it’s pretty easy to cure.”

Sora snorted. “Please. Are you losing your memory in your cloud of new love?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, and no, I’m not losing my memory,” Mari said indignantly. “Mason is healing fast.”

“Only after you almost passed out last night from channeling so much moon power into him. Mari, this disease isn’t easy to cure. It’s deadly. It’s only the strength of the moon and the Great Earth Mother that heals it. Take those two things away and Mason would be a raving lunatic again, and would need to be put down like any other diseased animal.”

“When did you get so pessimistic?”

“I think it happened right after I was attacked by diseased males,” Sora said sardonically. “I keep reminding myself of it—of why we’re leaving. It makes it easier.”

Mari nodded. “Yeah, I hear you.”

“Know what I want to hear?”

Mari raised her brows questioningly.

“I want to hear all about what happened last night with Nik.” Sora’s eyes glittered with equal parts glee and curiosity.